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United States Department of the Interior
OFTICE OF THE SECRETARY
401 4G 1
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
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JUL
Honorable Sidney R. Yates
Chairman,
27%
6 1978
Subcommittee on Interior
and Related Agencies Appropriations
Committee on Appropriations
ticuse of Representatives
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr.
20515
BEST COPY AVAILABLE
Yates:
Curing the June £9, 1975, Subcommittee hearing on tne Bikini situation,
there was considerable discussion on the role performed by Dr. Robert A.
Conard of Brookhaven National Laboratory in the April 1978 annual
medical survey of the Bikini Island residents.
You will recall that
there was confusion as to just when Dr. Conard last was on Bikini
{sland and what he mignt have told the residents of Bikini Island
when he was there as to the consumption of local coconuts.
Uc, Gonacd, who served as Head, Marsnail islands Medical Team, Hedicali
Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, has
forwarded to us a copy of his trip repert of this annual medical
Survey, which took place batween March 25 - April 25, 1978.
A copy
of the report also has been submitted for insertion in the June 19,
L978, hearing record, but IL thought you might like to review a copy
at this time.
You will note, for example, that the Acting Magistrate of the Bikini
Island residents was told of the preliminary analysis of the April
findings of the whole body count examinations.
Dr. Conard also expressed
concecn over the fact that the residents were eating Bikini Island
coconuts, and suggested that they eat the Eneu Island coconuts rather
than the coconuts grown on Bikini Island.
At that time, i.e.,
March 25 = April 25, 1978, the Department of Energy had not determined
-that the Eneu £sland coconuts were suspect.
The Department of the
Interior was not informed of the new development until mid-May and
Dr. Conard, in the field, did not have access to any information to
that effect.
LT hope that Dr. Conard's trip report will clear up the misunderstandings
on this matter.
-Sincerely yours,
"MRS, RUTH G. VAN CLEVE
Mes.
Ruth G.
Van Cleve
Director
OFfice of Territorial Affairs
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